whomsoever

The letter is addressed to whomsoever it may concern.

Definition

1. Pronoun (formal, emphatic form of "whomever"):
   • "Whomsoever" is an archaic or highly formal pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition, meaning "any person whom" or "no matter whom." It emphasizes that the identity of the person is irrelevant or indefinite, and it always functions as an object, never as a subject.

Usage Examples

• As the object of a verb:
  • The prize will be awarded to whomsoever the committee chooses. (The committee will choose any person; the prize goes to that person as the object of "chooses.")
• As the object of a preposition:
  • You may share this information with whomsoever you trust. (You may share it with any person you trust; "whomsoever" is the object of the preposition "with.")

Advanced Usage

• "Whomsoever" is rarely used in modern English; it appears primarily in legal, religious, or extremely formal written contexts. In everyday speech, "whomever" is more common, though even that is often replaced by "whoever" in informal settings.
  • The contract binds whomsoever signs it. (This is a legalistic construction; note that "whomsoever" here is technically incorrect as it is the subject of "signs," but in formal legal language, such usage may occur as a fixed expression.)

Variants and Related Words

• Whomever (pronoun): the standard modern object form of "whoever."
  • You can invite whomever you like. (You can invite any person you like.)
• Whoever (pronoun): the subject form, often used informally in place of "whomever."
  • Whoever comes will be welcome. (Any person who comes will be welcome.)
• Whosoever (pronoun): an archaic variant of "whoever," similar to "whomsoever" but used as a subject.
  • Whosoever believes in it will be saved. (Any person who believes will be saved.)

Synonyms

• Any person whom: a modern paraphrase.
  • Give it to any person whom you see. (Give it to any person you see.)
• No matter whom: an alternative phrasing.
  • No matter whom you choose, the result is the same. (Regardless of whom you choose.)

Related Idioms

• For whomsoever it may concern: a formal opening in letters or documents, equivalent to "to whom it may concern."
  • This certificate is issued for whomsoever it may concern. (This certificate is for any person who needs it.)

Grammar Note

• "Whomsoever" is always an object pronoun. It cannot be used as a subject. For example, "Whomsoever arrives first" is incorrect; the correct form would be "Whoever arrives first" or, archaically, "Whosoever arrives first."